When I was little, my Grandmother started an angel collection for me, and each year at Christmastime she would make or buy an angel to add to the collection. I looked so forward to receiving that angel each year, and had quite a little collection by the time I was a teenager. I still cherish all of the angels she gave me, and remember the excitement of receiving them.
As I thought about what I was going to make for the kids this Christmas, it only seemed fitting that I start a collection for my Sofia....after all her middle name is Angelina, meaning little angel.
Using an on-hand paper mache cone, I crafted this white angel for her. {below}
On a wooden ball, I painted a simple and sweet little face and gave her a curlicue hairdo, sleeping lashes and tiny heart lips. A vintage round pearl brooch was glued in place as a halo. A little tinsel and some feather wings, and she was complete.
I tucked her in this tree, though she's not really an ornament. She stands about 7" tall.
While I was at it, I made the much taller pink angel shown above. She is a gift for someone special, and is made from a styrofoam cone and vintage trims and jewels. She stands at least twice as tall as the smaller one. I had so much fun making these angels, and found that as soon as I painted their faces, they each suddenly had a personality that came to life!
The pink one has faux crystal corsage pins here and there on her dress and a band of sparkley vintage trim along the hemline. She stands on a round lace piece that was part of an old hat.
She fits right in here at home, but is already in the hands of her new owner.
I have a few little angel ornaments, guardian angel crib medals and vintage spun cotton angels that I've placed in a special box for Sofia. Next year, I will decorate a little white tree for her with all the angels, and place it somewhere {high!} in her bedroom at Christmas. And then, before too long, she will perhaps ask to help decorate the Angel Tree with me each year. Traditions are one of the greatest things about Christmas, as they tie the generations of a family together. I hope she comes to cherish this one, a special tradition from my own childhood.
Those angels are simply gorgeous! I am sure Sofia will come to cherish those when she is older! What a wonderfully sweet tradition! I too feel that traditions past down tie the generations together. God bless you and your precious family. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Back Porch Christmas Blessings,
Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca | December 22, 2010 at 05:34 AM
your angels are so sweet and the tradition you are passing along to sofia is dear and wonderful. i have so much fun when i make my clothespin dolls, i have a hunch that you feel the same when crafting your angels: messy, crafty bliss!
warmest wishes for a merry christmas from my cottage to yours ~
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | December 22, 2010 at 06:57 AM
Your handmade angels are so very lovely, Andrea... I'm sure your "little angel" Sofia will come to cherish them as you do! Traditions are so important, I think...they're part of the magic of Christmas:) Wishing you a joyful Christmas and lots of happiness in 2011!
Posted by: Leah C | December 22, 2010 at 09:36 AM
These angels are beautiful and what a nice way to keep up a beautiful tradition for your darling little girl. Merry Christmas!
Karla
Posted by: Karla | December 22, 2010 at 10:07 AM
I love them! I also collect angels! What a lucky little girl.
Posted by: Emily | December 22, 2010 at 10:17 AM
so beautiful, and what a lovely tradition :o) xx
Posted by: sadie | December 22, 2010 at 12:15 PM
What a lovely tradition to pass on to your daughter.
Merry Christmas,
xo
~Marilee
Posted by: Rose Brier Studio | December 22, 2010 at 04:34 PM
So beautiful!! Hope you and your family have a joyous and safe Christmas! God Bless you!
Posted by: Wendy | December 22, 2010 at 11:02 PM
So friggin' beatiful!
From, Camille in Utah
Posted by: camilled | December 23, 2010 at 12:05 AM
Andrea,
Your angel for Sofia is beautiful! I am an angel collector, too. I can't have too many. I know she will love what you have started for her!
Hugs,
Suz
Posted by: Susan Reaney | December 23, 2010 at 01:38 AM
Total sweetness, Andrea. Sofia is blessed.
Posted by: Sharon M. | December 23, 2010 at 11:00 AM
You came to see me? Thank you Andrea. I've been a huge admirer of your blog for a while now. I remember when you were talking about opening your "100 wishes" shoppe. I can't believe I will finally get to meet you. What will you be teaching us? Or is Jenn keeping that a secret? Only 10 months away, that's ok lol.
Now is that beautiful angel sitting in Sweet Jenn's home for Xmas? It looks like her style. If it is you could't have sent it to a sweeter lady. Can't wait to meet her too.
Sofia is one precious little girl to have a mom that loves her so much. Angels to watch over her. You can never have enough pink floating around right?
Merry Xmas to your beautiful family Andrea.
Love Claudie
XOXO
Posted by: Claudie | December 23, 2010 at 11:52 AM